The Inside Scoop on Moving Trailers

What To Expect with Moving Trailer Rentals

If you’re moving long distance and want an option that offers flexibility, security and ease, a U-Pack moving trailer is a great choice. They're different from rental trucks – instead, we deliver it to your home, you load it, then we deliver it to your new home. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of moving trailer rentals and tackle some frequently asked questions that cover size, parking, reservations, loading and how to save money.

Moving Trailer FAQs​

U-Pack trailer moving is the perfect solution for just about any move —

whether big or small, this equipment option is flexible. You can fill the entire trailer, or load into as little as 5 linear feet – and you only pay for the space you use.

How big are moving trailers?​

The exterior is 28’ x 8’ x 9’ (LWH) and the interior is 324” x 96” x 108” – which gives it a loading capacity of 1,944 cubic feet. It stands about 4 feet off the ground and comes with a loading ramp that is 14 feet long when fully extended. They’re easy to load because you can use a dolly to push or pull your belongings into the trailer. This makes it particularly easy to load heavy items. Read more about the trailer size and dimensions.

Look inside the trailer and get a feel for the size, construction, and tie-down points:

How much does a moving trailer cost?

Because several factors affect the cost of your move, the best way to estimate cost is to get a moving quote. Tell us where you’re moving to/from, how much you’re moving, and when you plan on doing the move to get an instant quote online. In rare cases, we’ll have a moving consultant take a look at the specifics and email you a quote.

If you happen to get a quote for ReloCubes and want a quote for renting a moving trailer, email us at changequote@upack.com, and we’ll take a look at your moving options.

How much weight can the moving trailer hold?

A 28-foot trailer can legally haul 22,500 pounds if the weight is distributed evenly. But, when you're talking about household goods, the actual weight will normally be much less than that. We estimate that each linear foot of household goods weighs about 450 pounds. So, a full trailer typically weighs around 12,600 pounds. Because our equipment is designed to carry very heavy freight, a household move rarely goes over the weight capacity of the truck. If you're concerned about the weight of your items, it may be helpful to spread them out a bit more inside the container. A moving consultant would be able to help you determine your needs; just call us at 800-413-4799.

Does weight matter for a trailer move?

While other moving companies may charge based on weight, U-Pack moves are NOT weight-based. Instead, they are based on the space you use. If you’re doing a military move and need weight tickets, we can arrange for empty and full weights of the trailer. However, for most customers, weight isn’t a factor at all since your U-Pack trailer rental price is solely based on the space your shipment takes up. We measure space by linear feet, which are sort of like “slices” of the trailer. You'll get a "per-foot adjustment rate" which will allow you to add or subtract space and see how it impacts your cost. Check out this video for more information on linear feet and how they work with U-Pack trailer moving.

How do I know how much space I’ll need?

We’ve found that 5 linear feet of the moving trailer (the minimum) will typically hold about one room of furniture and boxes. The full trailer will normally hold a larg 4-bedroom home. If you’re moving somewhere in between, we recommend completing the Room-by-Room Space Estimator Tool to estimate how much space you’ll need. And remember, if you reserve too much (or too little) space, you can just use the space you need and adjust your price accordingly. No worries about running out of room!

What if I need more or less space than I reserved?

No problem! Regardless of the amount of space you reserve, you pay for the space you actually use (with a 5 ft. minimum). Your moving quote comes with a “per-foot” adjustment rate that you can add or subtract if you need more or less space – so you know your price as you load. When you finish loading, simply write your final linear footage on your Bill of Lading (your U-Pack contract). The driver will verify the footage, and that’s the space you’re charged for.

How does a U-Pack moving trailer compare in size to a 26’ rental truck?

While it doesn’t seem like there would be much difference in size between a 28-foot trailer and a 26-foot rental truck, there actually is. Because our trailers are bigger all around (i.e., wider and taller) than a typical rental truck, the trailer offers 500 more cubic feet of space than the 26-foot rental truck. In fact, our moving trailer is equivalent to a 26-foot truck plus a 10-foot truck.

How does the trailer compare to the ReloCube?

We offer two types of moving equipment: the moving trailer and ReloCube moving containers. Often, when you get a quote, you'll have the option to toggle between the two options. As you're comparing size, the trailer is larger than the Cubes. ReloCubes are 6' x 7' x 8 externally and 70" x 82" x 93" (DWH) internally. So, one Cube is equivalent to about 5 linear feet of trailer space. The Cube is a great option for small moves or moves where parking is a problem. You can use just one or multiple, and each Cube fits into a standard-size parking space.

How are U-Pack moving trailers delivered?

The trailer is delivered to your location via a single cab tractor, and only the trailer is left at your location.

Can I park the trailer at my house?

In most cases, yes! It just needs to be parked on a solid surface (like pavement or hard-packed gravel), and you need about 40 feet of length.That’s about 2-3 car lengths. Check overhead as well, since you'll need a 14-foot overhead clearance that's free from low-hanging tree branches and power lines. And, before moving day, we recommend checking with your city, police department, HOA, apartment manager, etc., to see if a parking permit is required. Check out this video for more detailed information on parking at your location (including information about parking at an apartment complex, residential parking and parking in urban areas).

If you think parking at your home will be an issue, give us a call at 800-413-4799. We specialize in coming up with creative solutions for your issues, and we can help you figure out which option would be best for your move.

How much time do I have to load the trailer?

You have up to three business days to load and unload. That means, if you have the trailer delivered on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, you get the weekend, too! (Note that there are a few locations – usually urban areas – where parking restrictions limit the amount of time the trailer can be parked. We will make you aware if you're moving into or out of one of these areas and help come up with solutions to make your timing work).

Are there places to tie down inside the trailer?

Moving trailers are equipped with tie-down points throughout, and we highly recommend tying your shipment down as you load to keep it secure in transit. You can also create your own tie-down points if necessary – this includes nailing bracings to the wood strips in the trailer floor. Check out these loading tips for more information.

What if I don’t use the entire trailer – what goes in the rest of the space?

After you finish loading, you’ll have a secure divider wall (called a bulkhead) to install at the end of your shipment. Any space you don’t use will be used to transport commercial goods moving in the same direction. Your belongings are not co-mingled, unloaded or transferred. Once you secure them, they stay behind the bulkhead wall until you remove it at your destination.

How do I reserve my move?

Reserving your move is easy! After you get a moving quote, you can reserve online or by calling an expert moving consultant at 800-413-4799. A credit card or debit card is required for reservation, but no charges are placed on the card until after you finish loading.

I am impressed with U-Pack! They are very professional, with excellent customer service!
All was perfect; container arrived the time agreed, the drivers were very courteous and respectful. We did not use the whole container and we paid only for what we have used. Great company! I will use them again in the future and I recommend their services to anyone I know.

Moved from IL to CO with UPack and it was an absolutely trouble-free experience that ended up cheaper than hauling it myself!
Notes from my move for others:
1. Contents shift and bounce around a lot - strapped items traveled best
2. Be sure to schedule your pickup via the link sent by text
3. I had a couple minor issues which the ABF staff quickly addressed.
4. Glassware boxes (from another company) traveled great.
5. Freight trailers tend to get a little dirty, so plan accordingly.
6. 150 y... See Moreear-old curio traveled on 4 little legs perfectly fine (strapped to wall)
Would Upack again 5-stars.!